Container closure



4 1 1944" H. D. CHAFFEE 2,347,253

' CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed June 17, 1942 #49040 D. 'CHAFFEE ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER CLOSURE Harold D. Chaffee, Bedford, Ohio Application June 17, 1942, Serial No. 447,321

6 Claims.

My invention relates to closures for containers,

more particularly to closures of the dispensing type adapted for cooperation with containers for fluids, such as oil and the like. The principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved container closures of the character described.

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application I have shown various embodiments illustrating my invention, and in this drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating an embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding generally to the line 22 of Figure 1, and illustrating one position of the closure,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View illustrating another position of the closure, and showing the container tilted for pouring,

"Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating parts comprising the closure shown in Figures 1 through 3,'and

, Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, and particularly, this figure illustrates a part which may be substituted for'one of the parts shown in Figure 4.

Referring particularly to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 4,

the closure means Ii] therein shown comprises tubular means I I and a closure member I2. Each end of the tubular means II is so constructed and arranged that it is engageable with a container I3 in such relation that substance from the container may flow into the tubular means.

The closure member I2 is so constructedand arranged that it is engageable with either end of the tubular means II, and is adapted'to be positioned to close that end of the tubular means opposite to the end engaging the container.

To effect the foregoing relationship of parts, it is preferable to provide engagement means on the container I3 and engagement means at each end" of the tubular means, each being complementary to the container engagement means, and also to provide engagement means on the closure member I2 complementary to either of the engagement means at each end of the tubular means II.

As here shown, referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the container I3 is formed with a tubular outlet M having screw threads I5, the end of the outlet I4 terminating in a narrow inwardly extending annular flange I6 margining the container opening. When the container 'I3 is originally shipped from the factory, is is 4 preferable to close the container opening, as by pressing a cup-shaped sheet-metal closure IT, or any other suitable means, into the container opening. However, this closure I! is not essential, even in the case of original shipment, and

r let M.

in any event, i removed when the container is initially opened.

The tubular means II is here shown in the form of a round relatively short tube, preferably formed of sheet metal, although any other suitable material may be used. As shown in Figures 2 through 4, each end of the tubular means II is formed with screw threads I8 and I9 respectively, separated by an intermediate unthreaded portion 20 having an arcuate opening 2| preferably of a length to provide for convenient dispensing of substance from the con tainer. As best seen in Figure 1, the opening 2| is of a length slightly less than one-half the angular extent of the tubular means I I.

The closure member I2 is preferably of circular cup-shape, as shown, and is formed of any suitshort of closing the opening 2! in the tubular means II in either of its positions, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. A flange 24 bears against the free margin of the tubular means I I, and

thus maybe used to. limit the inward extent of the closure member I2. The closure member I2 may be provided with any suitable means for rotating it. As here shown, a rib 38 extends diametrically across the recess of the closure member I2.

The tubular means II is formed with an annular lip 25 extending inwardly slightly beyond the base diameter of the screw thread I9. In the position shown in Figure 2, the annular lip 25 is pressed against the'terminating margin of the container outlet I4, and thus provides a seal which prevents the leaking of substance from the container along the interengaging screw threads of the tubular means II and the container out- Additionally, the annular lip may, and as herein shown, does, predeterminedly limit threading of the tubular means II onto the container outlet I4; In the position shown in Figure 3, the inwardly directed wall of the closure member I2 engages the lip 25, and here again the lip serves the. two-fold purpose of preventing the leakage of substance past the interengaging screw threads Iii and 22, respectively, on the tubular means II and the closure I2, and of assisting in limiting the-threading of the closure I2 onto the tubular means II.

The tubular means II is provided with a dispensing spout 2B. communicating with the opening 2I. A herein shown, the dispensing spout, in plan view (Figurel) preferably is relatively wide at its connection with the tubular means II, and tapers to a reduced width at its outlet. In cross-section, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the dispensing spout extends outwardly from the side of the tubular means, its free end curving so that the surface margining the opening into the dispensing spout lies in substantially a plane with that end of the tubular means having the screw threads I9. The dispensing spout 26 may be secured to the tubular means II in any suitable manner, such for example, if it is made of metal, as by soldering, welding, or brazing. In any event, the method of securing the spout to the tubular means should be such as will produce a fluid-tight joint. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 4, the dispensing spout is formed of metal, and its one end is shaped to conform to the contour of the tubular means II adjacent the opening, and the adjoining surfaces are soldered together, as indicated at 21.

The construction illustrating the invention permits the container outlet I 4 to be positionednear the side wall of the container, so that practically all the substance from the container may be emptied, without requiring that the container be turned completely upside down. When the tubular means II is in pouring position, the dispensing spout preferably overhangs the side of the container I3, as seen in Figure 3, and because of its curvature provides a drip-free lip which sharply cuts off flow of liquid when the container is returned to non-pouring position. The surface margining the opening into the dispensing spout 26, and the end of the tubular means bearing the screw threads I9, and an adjacent surface of the container I3 are relatively so constructed and arranged that when the tubular means II and the closure member I2 are in container-closing position, the surface margining the opening into the dispensing spout 26 bears substantially flat against the adjacent surface of the container to close the opening into the dispensing spout. With proper construction, the bearing relation of the spout 26 and the container surface may be such as to effectively seal the container against ingress of foreign matter or egress of substance from the container. Thus, in at least certain cases, the closure I1 is not necessary even during initial shipment from the factory.

Desirably, and as here shown, the top Wall of the container, I3 is formed with a recessed portion 28 also opening at the side wall of the container as shown at 29, to provide for rotation of the tubular means II and its connected spout 26. The bottom wall 30 of the recessed portion, at least in the line of rotation of the terminating end of the spout 26 is preferably flat so as to provide a sealing surface cooperable with the surface margining the opening into the dispensing spout 26.

The screw threads I8 and I9, the terminus of the opposite ends of the tubular means II, and th annular lip 25, either singly or in any combination, are desirably so designed that in pouring position the tubular means II may be rotated to a predetermined fixed position wherein the dispensing spout 26 overhangs the side wall of the container I3, and so that in containerclosing position the tubular means may be rotated to a predetermined fixed position wherein the dispensing spout overlies the bottom wall 30 of the recessed portion 28.

To conserve shipment and. storage space, containers of the kind herein shown are usually stacked one upon the other. This invention provides for such stacking without any detriment to the closure means. As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the overall height of the closure means is such that the top of the closure means does not extend above the top wall (see numeral 3I in Figures 1 and 2) of the container I3. Although the container I3 is only fragmentarily shown, it will be appreciated that the top Wall 3| of the container (or the container top) provides sufficient area to provide for stacking.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a handle 32 in the shape of a bail, the ends of the handle being journaled in a bearing 33 formed in a discshaped plate 34 which may be spot welded (as shown) or otherwise suitably secured to the top of the container. Desirably, for-stacking purposes, the handle 32 is received within a recessed portion 35 formed in the top Wall 3|. As clearly seen in Figure 1, the construction of the container I3 is such that the tubular means II and its connected dispensing spout 26 may be freely rotated, even though the handle 32 is turned toward the tubular means I I.

Referring to Figure 5, the tubular means Ila therein shown is provided with a dispensing spout 26a, and disregarding the difference in construction, the tubular means IIa cooperates with the closure means I2 and the container I3 in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the tubular means I I. However, the tubular means Ila is formed as a predetermined length out from a long threaded piece of tubing. The dispensing outlet 26a may be formed by any suitable process of manufacture, with an arcuate shield plate 36 of a width which may equal the length of the tubular means Ila, and of a length to cover the opening in the tubular means IIa. Then, the edges of the shield plate 36 may be soldered, or otherwise suitably connected in fluid-tight relation to the adjoining surfaces of the tubular means I la.

With the construction herein shown, it will be apparent that in both shipping and pouring positions, the spout is at all times on the outside of the container, thus eliminating the handling of a spout covered with substance from within the container. When pouring substances, such as liquids, it will be evident, by observation of Figure 3, that the fluid is out 01f and drains back into the container by means of the spout; therefore, no fluid will drip onto the container, and accordingly the container will not accumulate grime like, for instance, the usual oil container does. The construction herein shown provides a spout which forms part of the closure, so that the closure only comprises two parts, the tubular means II with its attached spout, and the closure member I2. It will be appreciated that this construction therefore provides a spout that is always accessible when it is desired to pour substance from the container.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skiled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. In combination: a container having anoutlet openlng providing engagement means; closure means, comprising tubular means having a dispensing opening and having at each of its ends engagement means complementary to the enagement means of said container and so constructed and arranged that either end of said tubular means may be attached to said container in such position that substance from said container may pass into said tubular means, said dispensing opening being so constructed and arranged that in one position of engagement of said tubular means and said container said dispensing opening is closed against passage of substance therethrough, and in the other position of engagement said dispensing opening is open to provide for passage of substance therethrough.

2. In combination: a container having an outlet opening providing engagement means; closure means, comprising tubular means having a dispensing opening and having at each of its ends engagement means complementary to the engagement means of said container and so constructed and arranged that either end of said tubular means may be attached to said container in such position that substance from said container may pass into said tubular means, said dispensing opening being so constructed and arranged that in one position of engagement of said tubular means and said container said dispensing opening is closed. against passage of substance therethrough, and in the other position of engagement said dispensing opening is open to provide for passage of substance therethrough; and said closure means including a closure member having engagement means interengageable with either of the engagement means at the ends of said tubular means, and being adapted to close that end of said tubular means opposite to the end engaging said container.

3. In combination: a container having an outlet opening providing engagement means; closure means, comprising tubular means having a dispensing spout and having at each of its ends engagement means complementary to the engagement means of said container and so constructed and arranged that either end of said tubular means may be attached to said container in such position that substance from said container may pass into said tubular means, said dispensing spout and one of the engagement means of said tubular means and a surface of said container being so relatively constructed and arranged that when said one engagement means is in predetermined engagement with the engagement means of said container, the surface margining the dispensing opening of said spout bears against said container surface and is closed against passage of substance therethrough.

4. In combination: a container having an outlet opening providing engagement means; closure means, comprising tubular means having a dispensing spout and having at each of its ends engagement means complementary to the engagement means of said container and so constructed and arranged that either end of said tubular means may be attached to said container in such position that substance from said container may pass into said tubular means, said dispensing spout and one of the engagement means of said tubular means and a surface of said convtainer being so relatively constructed and arranged that'when said one engagement means is in predetermined engagement with the engagement means of said container, the surface margining the dispensing opening of said spout bears against said container surface and is closed against passage of substance therethrough; and said closure means including a closure member having engagement means interengageable with either of the engagement means at the ends of said tubular means, and being adapted to close that end of said tubular means opposite to the end engaging said container.

5. In combination: a container, having an offcenter outlet opening in its top surface and having engagement means at said outlet opening; closure means, comprising tubular means having a dispensing spout extending laterally with respect to its defining wall and having at each of its ends engagement means complementary to the engagement means of said container and so constructed and arranged that either end of said tubular means may be attached to said container in such position that substance from said container may pass into said tubular means, said spout and one of the engagement means of said tubular means and the top surface of said container being relatively so constructed and arranged that when said one engagement means is in predetermined engagement with the engagement means of said container, the surface margining the dispensing opening of said dispensing spout bears against the top surface of said container and is closed against passage of substance therethrough, and the other of said engagement means and the engagement means of said container being relatively so constructed and arranged that when they are in predetermined interengagement said poring spout overhangs the top and side wall of said container; and said closure means including a closure member, having engagement means complementary to either of the engagement means of said tubular means, and being constructed and arranged to close that end of said tubular means opposite to the end engaging said container.

6. In combination: a container, having an 01T- center recess in its top surface, and having also a tubular screw-threaded outlet extending upwardly into said recess; closure means, comprising tubular means having screw threads at each end complementary to the screw threads of said outlet so that either end of said tubular means may be attached to said outlet, and having also a dispensing spout extending laterally and outwardly with respect to the side wall of said tubular means intermediate its ends, the screw threads at one end of said tubular means, and the screw threads at said outlet and said dispensing spout being relatively so constructed and arranged that when said one end is in predetermined engagement with said outlet the surface margining the dispensing opening of said dispensing spout bears against the bottom defining wall of said off-center recess and is closed against passage of substance therethrough; and a closure member having screw threads engageable with the screw threads at either end of said tubular means, and being constructed and arranged to close that end of said tubular means opposite to the end engaging said outlet; the overall height of said tubular means and said closure member not exceeding the depth of said recess, so that a plurality of containers may be stacked one on top of the other.

HAROLD D. CHAFFEE. 

